Craniofacial reconstruction

Question 1

What is the Anatomical (Russian) method of facial reconstruction?

Answer 1

Uses bony landmarks of the skull to ‘build-up’ the facial features by the addition of muscle etc…

Question 2

What is the anthropological (American) method of facial reconstruction?

Answer 2

Uses average tissue depths to build features onto the skull.

Question 3

What is the Manchester method of facial reconstruction?

Answer 3

Uses a combination of bony landmarks and average tissue depths and is the most widely accepted method.

Question 4

What are the benefits and problems of dissection for research into facial reconstruction?

Answer 4

Useful for understanding attachments
Can relate features to internal tissues and bone
Needle puncture is good for tissue depths but can also distort
Need to account for early techonomic effects (face droops etc…).

Question 5

What are the benefits and problems for palpation in facial reconstruction research?

Answer 5

Useful in appreciating ‘in-life’ surface anatomy of the face.
Measurement devices can squash skin.
Bone cannot be visualised without additional equipment.

Question 6

What are the benefits and problems for CT scanning in facial reconstruction research?

Answer 6

Excellent visualisation of bone
Unnecessary radiation exposure
Are clinical scans normal?
Not as good with soft tissue visualisation
Can observe the effects of gravity, dental artefacts and closed eyes.

Question 7

What are the benefits and problems of MRI scanning in facial reconstruction research.

Answer 7

Great for soft tissue visualisation
Not great at bone
No radiation but expensive.